The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce held its State of the Chamber 2020 “The Vision is Clear” luncheon Thursday afternoon at Arborwood.
The chamber recognized over 16 individuals, businesses and organizations that have gone above and beyond in 2019. Outgoing Board President Tammy Moss spoke about 2019 and new Board President Fred Myers talked about his vision for the upcoming year.
“This was another great day to celebrate Clinton County, Frankfort and all of our communities in Clinton County,” said Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shan Sheridan. “We’re so blessed to have the people that we have. It’s really about the people that make our area successful.”
Moss said as of Wednesday, the Chamber had 348 total members.
The Chamber handed out several different awards. Individual and business winners were as follows: Sharon Chapin of NHK (Human Resource of the Year), Rick Stefaniak (Volunteer of the Year), Ken Hartman (Employee of the Year), Ability Services (Not-For-Profit of the Year), Amanda Long (Distinction in Teaching for the Community Schools of Frankfort), Dan Hilgediek (Distinction in Teaching for Clinton Prairie), Melinda Hauenstein (Distinction in Teaching for Clinton Central), Kyle Etherington (Distinction of Teaching for Rossville), Greg Loyd (Iron Block Member of the Year), Star City Broadcasting (New Chamber Member of the Year), Swine Health Services (Agribusiness of the Year), Tristen Comegys (Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Board Member of the Year), Phillips Saw and Tool (Small Business of the Year) and Encompass Credit Union (Large Business of the Year).
The Frankfort Times also handed out their Citizen of the Year award which went to Shan Sheridan.
“It’s humbling, very humbling,” said Sheridan about his award. “I hear people say that I deserve it. But in my heart, I know there are so many people who deserved this more than I do.”
Myers was asked how it feels to lead a group like the Chamber in a community that is making progress.
“It’s all about the people that are in it and support everything,” he said. “Shan Sheridan is wonderful. The mayor is wonderful. They have vision for the community and it’s exciting to become involved in that.”
Myers said that is the reason he stayed in the community.
“I came here in 1991 and after I retired, I decided that Clinton County and Frankfort was a place I wanted to hang out and be a part of,” said Myers.
Sheridan talks about how it feels to have the community move forward.
“We’ve been very fortunate in the last two mayor election cycles to get dynamic leadership,” said Sheridan. “Mayor McBarnes and his administration, the City Council, County Council and county leadership that work together on a regular basis to make things happen. The I-65 infrastructure project would not happen without collaboration.”
Sheridan added the future looks great.
“I think we’re going to continue to grow,” he said. “I think we’re going to see strong growth both in population and economic development. I think we’re going to attract more business, more people. I really believe over the next couple three years we’re going to see tremendous growth.”
View the entire Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon in the ON DEMAND section at Hoosierland TV.
Publishers Note: Kaspar Media is proud that Ken Hartman was recognized as the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Year”. Ken Hartman wrote this story but did not include a photo of that recognition, so we include it here. Kaspar Media is blessed to have a great team of people who believe in supporting the interest, convenience and necessity of our coverage area. No one works harder at Kaspar Media to fulfill this promise and we are grateful for his recognition today.
